Last Name Juras

The surname Juras is of Slavic origin. It is derived from various Slavic roots, such as "jura", which means "mountain" or "high land" in some Slavic languages like Croatian, Serbian, and Russian. People with the last name Juras are likely to have origins in these regions or communities where this name was traditionally used.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Juras

The meaning and origin of the last name Juras

The surname Juras is of Slavic origin, primarily found among populations in Eastern Europe such as Croatia, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. It is derived from the Slavonic word "gora," which means 'mountain' or 'highland.' Over time, the name has been anglicized to Juras, often pronounced with a hard 'j' sound. The surname may have been given to someone who lived near a mountain or highland, or it could have been a nickname for a tall person. In Croatia, Juras is relatively common and can be found in various spellings like Jurassic, Jurasek, Jurasko, etc., reflecting the regional phonetic variations. The surname's geographical concentration in Eastern Europe suggests a potential connection to a specific region or tribal group that inhabited the mountains and highlands of the area at one point in history.

Geographical distribution of the last name Juras

The last name Juras is primarily found in regions with significant Slavic populations, particularly Eastern Europe. It is most prevalent in Slovakia and the Czech Republic where it originates from the town of Jurášovce (Slovakia) and its surrounding areas. Smaller concentrations can be found in other parts of Central Europe such as Poland, Hungary, and Germany. Additionally, there are Juras families in North America, primarily in the United States, with a majority being of Slovak or Czech descent due to historical immigration patterns. The distribution of the last name Juras is less common in other parts of the world.

Variants and spellings of the last name Juras

The surname Juras has several variations and spellings, including Jurass, Juratz, Juhras, Juhoras, Jurasses, Jurasz, Jurosz, and possibly others due to differences in regional pronunciation and transcription. These variations stem from the original Slavic root "Jur" or "Georg," which means farmer or worker of the earth, and are commonly found among Eastern European populations. The exact spelling may depend on factors such as historical periods, geographical locations, and personal preferences.

Famous people with the last name Juras

The Juras surname has been associated with several notable figures across various fields. In music, Peter Juras (b. 1964) is a well-known Polish pianist and composer who has performed worldwide. In sports, Andris Juras (b. 1976), a Latvian Olympic athlete, specializes in the long jump and triple jump events. He represented Latvia at four consecutive Summer Olympics from 2000 to 2012. In literature, Zuzana Brabcová-Juras (b. 1954) is a Czech writer and journalist who has received numerous awards for her work. She served as the president of PEN International's Czech Center in Prague from 1997 to 2003. Lastly, in technology, Tom Juras (b. 1978) is the co-founder and CEO of Splice, a music technology company that uses AI to create and compose music. These individuals showcase the diverse accomplishments of those with the last name Juras across various disciplines.

Genealogical research on the last name Juras

The surname Juras originates from Eastern Europe, particularly in regions that were once part of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The name is believed to have been derived from the Slavic term "juhr" or "zorza," meaning 'dawn' or 'daylight,' reflecting its use as a symbol of hope, renewal, or a new beginning. Early records show that the family resided in areas such as present-day Poland, Lithuania, and Belarus during the Middle Ages. Notable branches of the Juras family were found in cities like Vilnius (Lithuania) and Krakow (Poland), where they made significant contributions to local communities as artisans, merchants, and scholars. The name Juras also spread to other parts of Europe during migrations and historical events, with notable settlements in Germany, the United States, Canada, Australia, and South America.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Juras"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 June 2025

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